How to Start Your Job Search in Data Science

Build a Data Science Portfolio and Resume

You need to make a great first impression to break into data science. That starts with your portfolio and your resume. It's important to have work to share that you've completed in a real-world setting, be it at a current job or through a course that provides that opportunity. Many data scientists have some type of online presence to showcase this work, such as their own website or blog. This vehicle allows them to demonstrate their experience and the value they create in the data science community. If you go this route, your portfolio should highlight your best projects presented in a well-designed, captivating way.

Every day, organizations are creating more and more data, yet struggling to tap into and ultimately benefit from this vast amount of information due to the lack of talent available in the field. A study from McKinsey found that the U.S. alone could face a shortage of 150,000+ data analysts and an additional 1.5 million data-savvy managers by 2018. And, according to LinkedIn, statistical analysis and data mining were the hottest skills that got recruiters' attention in 2014. Glassdoor ranked data scientist as the number one job to pursue in 2016. Harvard Business Review even called it the sexiest career of the 21st century.

Got your attention yet? For those interested in tapping into this in-demand and potentially lucrative career, there are some best practices to ensure you are set up for success before applying for jobs in the field.